Monday, May 13, 2013

Hi, I haven't posted a blog entry in a
while. We are settling in. The novelty of our situation has began to
wear off. There is still much to learn about living in Mexico. We had
our first experience with the local traffic police. One of our
friends had a slight fender bender. This friend is notorious for
being a slow driver so he was probably going about 10mph in downtown
traffic when another car tapped his bumper. Both drivers got out of
their cars and surveyed the damage. Our friend's suv suffered a small
dent to bumper. The other car had a dent on their front right fender
by their light. The other driver did want the traffic police called
over who were just at the end of the block. He said that he did not
have insurance. Our friend said since both cars received slight
damage they could just call it even. Our friend is from the States
but has dual citizenship. He speaks Spanish. At this point our friend
got back in to his vehicle and drove to the grocery store about a
half mile to a mile away. The other driver followed him. When our
friend stopped, the other driver got out and yelled at him for
smashing into his car and driving away! The uproar caused a crowd to
form. Police were called. The locals were horrified that a tall
American (who cares if the American is of Mexican descent and is a
citizen of Mexico) would do such a thing to an older Mexican couple.
The police arrived. At this point our friend knew that things were
not going well. He asked how much they wanted. How much did he have
to pay? The police said that he had to go to the police station to
settle the incident. It was at this time that we arrived to help. (We
had dinner plans with them, so, they had been texting us as to why
they were late.) There were about 10 or more police surrounding him
and saying that since he was not cooperating and had such a bad
attitude they had to take him in. Our friend was handcuffed. The
police only reached his shoulders so if the situation wasn't so
serious it would have been comical. The police led him to a police
truck with an extended cab. Our friend had to scrunch up to fit in
it. We followed a motorcycle police to the station. I asked our
friends if they had photographed their cars. No, they had not done
so. They asked if I had my camera with me. No, I did not but I had my
cell phone. So out came the iphone and I started taking pictures.
When I took a picture that included the director of the police
station, I was in trouble. First of all the police do not like
pictures taken. Secondly, the director does not allow any pictures
taken of himself. He grabbed my phone. I grabbed it back! He had a
wild look in his eye as if he would throw it against a wall. Couldn't
let that happen! He told me that he should arrest me for taking
pictures. He told me that in my country I would be arrested. He was
very angry with me. It was at that point that I decided it might
serve my friends' best interests if I kept a low profile. Before I
went into hiding I showed a policeman that I was deleting the
director's picture from my phone and to please tell him that I did
it. I did call some other friends in to help. One brother wanted to
speak to a policeman but no one would...but I did run across the
director again and sincerely apologized for taking his picture. He
said sorry was not good enough and that I belonged in jail. After
that encounter, I had Robin park the van out on a side street and
took refuge in it until the entire situation was resolved 2 hours
later. Our friend was accused of leaving the scene of an accident. He
had to pay $1,500 pesos to the older couple and a fine of $1,200 to
the police for “leaving the scene of an accident.” At one point
the wife of the older couple complained of stomach pains brought on
by the accident so our friend's wife and another friend who was being
a wonderful go-between with the police (along with her husband)
volunteered to take this poor lady to the hospital to get her checked
out...she had an instant recovery! Before the older couple left the
station, they told our friends that they were friends with most of
the policemen there and that they were good friends with the
director's parents so he needed to watch his back! A threat! It was
heartwarming to see many of our new friends from the Spanish
congregation come by and, as was already mentioned, we were so
thankful for our friends from the English congregation. This Mexican
couple were so calm and respectful to all involved. One brother from
the English congregation works for the city and knows many of those
involved. He made some phone calls in our friend's behalf. By
midnight our friend had paid up, was released and was driving himself
home! Later we learned that if the police impound your car you must
pay an impound fee each day in cash and another lump sum when the car
is released! Yikes! So, you never want the police to take your car.
Another important lesson is that if you have a fender bender it is
best to resolve it on the spot. Pay up there. I questioned rather the
person would do the same thing as the older couple even after you
give them money....the brothers were shocked by my question....they
replied that no, the other people would honor the
settlement....another one of those
“things-that-make-you-go-hmmmmm....” Our neighbor thought that
the older couple did not want the police involved at the scene of the
accident because then when a crowd formed there would be ones who saw
the accident and they could have said that the older couple were to
blame so they took it somewhere where they could accuse our friend
and no one would know how it really happened. We have been hearing
about other newcomer's traffic stories...seems that some have had to
spend a night or two in jail due to a traffic/car infraction. Now
that would be very scary. At one point one of the officers told our
friend that this was how he was treated in the states....could he be
holding a grudge? I have to say that up to this night I had found the
traffic police pleasant and helpful but this was during the day. At
peak traffic times, the traffic police control traffic flow. It
helps! I have been always thankful to see them directing traffic.
Showing respect to those in authority here is important. One of the
big reminders that we are-not-in-Kansas-anymore!

We are going back to the States this
month for a 2 week visit! I am so excited! We are leaving this
Thursday or next. Megan & Sage have been helping us find flights.
We still need to work out our internet problems. When we come back
we will make getting internet in our home our mission. Our American
phones will be working when we are in the States so feel free to call
us! We would love to visit with some of you in person.

We will be getting some immigration
paperwork done. Shopping. Clothes are pricey here. And I need to tell
you about laundry...but that is for another time. Wii & other
games are pricey here...about $100 each! American
food....particularly a steak!! No, thick steaks here. No roasts
either....but that is another story too! For me, gluten free food!!
And giant green salads!!!

Number one thing to do in the
States---> See our family!! I am so missing them! Especially the
grandchildren!! It will be great to visit with them! We might be able
to spend some time with our brand new daughter-in-law!

Now that I know a little more about
life down here, I know what items I have in storage that would be
very useful to bring back. We also want to downsize our storage
units. Leaving the country was not the planned organized affair I had
envisioned. I did not give ourselves enough time to pack and
organize. I think it was part of a denial mentality. I certainly
did not expect to be sick when we were leaving. I am still so very
grateful for all of the love and help we were given at the last
minute. We could never have left on time without it. Our brotherhood
is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Jehovah provides the help we need
from the least likely source. We had not expected our community to
be so involved in our move. But they were....and we are so glad for
all of their help and support during that time!!

We have not gotten our return ticket
yet but I will be researching how much an extra bag will cost me
verses sending myself a box through fed-ex or DHL. A $100 for a large
suitcase is sounding quite reasonable!.